Swimming is one of the best forms of exercise for adults. Whether you’re taking Arizona swim lessons or swimming on your own, it’s a total body workout that activates every area. However, many adults begin swimming without any technical instruction and find it difficult to make it even a few lengths across the pool. Having good technique can help develop your endurance faster and create a more enjoyable swimming workout.

Here are 3 tips to try to build your technique and endurance:

1. Swim with a friend or in a group.

Swimming in a group is often more fun and effective because it allows you to see what others are doing. When you’re around someone who’s a stronger swimmer than you are, take a moment to stop and watch what they do. Pay close attention to their body position, hip and shoulder rotation, and hand placements in the water. Then, follow their example to improve your own technique.

2. Practice good breathing in the horizontal plane.

Breathing is the key to keeping your heart rate at a steady pace and preventing you from feeling like you’re drowning. The most common mistake many adults make is lifting their head up and out of the horizontal body plane to take a breath, which causes your body to be like a snow plow in the water instead of a torpedo.

To practice good breathing, try rolling to your back instead of lifting your head when you breathe. You won’t have to rush, and you can take multiple breaths on your back without compromising the horizontal position.

If you still feel like you’re struggling to get enough air when you turn your head, try strongly exhaling when your face is in the water so all you have to do is inhale when you turn your head to breathe.

Another trick to even out your breathing is to breathe every three strokes instead of every two. A two-stroke pace tends to create a lopsided stroke and rushes your breathing, whereas a three-stroke pace creates a more balanced stroke and breathing pattern.

3. Join a team.

Joining an adult swim team at a school like EVO can provide the accountability, coaching, and camaraderie you need to take your endurance to the next level. Having instructors and other swimmers around will push you and help keep you on the right track.

Building endurance takes time and dedication, but with a consistent training plan and a support team by your side, you’ll have no problem going the distance. For more swimming tips or information on Arizona swimming lessons, contact EVO Swim School at 480-539-2660.